WHEREAS:

Labor rights are fundamental human rights; and

WHEREAS:

Labor laws and rights are essential to the promotion of social justice and to the safeguarding of human freedom in any society; and

WHEREAS:

Basic rights to form unions and to receive adequate wages and decent minimum health and safety standards in the workplace are denied to millions of workers in many foreign countries; and

WHEREAS:

In many countries the very lives of thousands of workers who strive to secure basic working conditions for themselves and others are violently threatened and violated; and

WHEREAS:

The worker rights provisions of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in the Trade Act of 1974 have not been enforced as provided in the law.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME opposes giving United States military or economic aid to any country which violates internationally recognized worker rights; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge the Bush Administration and the Congress to encourage all nations to adopt equitable human and worker rights; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That the worker rights provisions of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in the Trade Act of 1974 should be enforced as provided in the law.

SUBMITTED BY:

Howard N. Jorgenson, President
Helen Sampson, Secretary
AFSCME Council 28
Olympia, WA